Drones provide increased opportunities and mechanisms for Data collection, capacity building, and technical advice for mapping and catastrophe risk management. Compared to traditional approaches, their capacity to quickly gather high-resolution imagery and real-time data allows emergency crews to monitor hazardous regions, assess damage, and plan operations much more efficiently. Drones, for instance, have been used to swiftly map areas affected by disasters, locate areas that are severely damaged, and assist with search and rescue efforts even in areas that are ordinarily unreachable because of dangerous conditions or broken infrastructure.
This course equips learners with practical skills and conceptual knowledge in drone operations, aerial data collection, and geospatial mapping. Designed with a focus on disaster risk response and community resilience, the course introduces the core principles of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), safe and ethical drone use, and mapping techniques using open geospatial platforms such as OpenStreetMap. Over four weeks, learners will progress through foundational concepts, hands-on training, applied problem-solving, and real-world scenarios relevant to Jamaica and the wider Caribbean.
The course aims to build capacity in drone-based mapping and data analysis for disaster preparedness, environmental monitoring, and community-driven geospatial initiatives. It seeks to empower learners with the technical, ethical, and analytical competencies required to design, execute, and apply drone surveys for decision-making in open geospatial systems.
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
- Identify and differentiate types of drones and components suited for specific operational needs.
- Demonstrate understanding of legal, safety, and ethical considerations in drone flight and data capture.
- Execute flight planning, data collection, and emergency procedures using automated and manual drone controls.
- Conduct aerial surveys and process collected imagery for integration into GIS tools like OpenStreetMap and QGIS.
- Analyse geospatial data in support of community mapping, disaster risk management, and resilience planning.
Who is this course for?
This course is designed for adult learners, including community mapping volunteers, GIS technicians, civil society practitioners, environmental officers, and disaster management personnel.
The course will provide a virtual community to work in, that includes other participants like yourself, your course facilitator, and potential mentors that will be an invaluable source of information, knowledge sharing, and creative ideas. We encourage you to participate in the discussions and activities which will be one of the most valuable things this course has to offer
What do I need to know?
Prior experience with mapping or drone technology is not required, though comfort with digital tools is recommended.
Structure of the Course
This course is broken down into three (3) modules, namely:
- Module 1 – Fundamentals of Drone Technology and Applications: introduces participants to the fundamentals of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), commonly referred to as drones. It explores the evolution, types, components, and applications of UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), focusing particularly on their use in surveying, mapping, and disaster management..
- Module 2 – Emergency Procedures, Environmental and Ethical Considerations in Drone Operations: provides an in-depth exploration of emergency procedures, environmental and ethical considerations, and safe planning practices for drone operations.
- Module 3 – Introduction to Aerial Surveying and Flight Planning: introduces the foundational concepts and practical skills required for aerial surveying and flight planning using drones. Learners will explore the principles of aerial data collection, understand the different types of surveys such as photogrammetry and thermal imaging, and learn how to select appropriate sensors and camera settings for various applications.
